The Society of Women Artists Exhibition 2015

The Society of Women Artists

154th Annual Exhibition

5th – 13th June

10am – 5pm daily (final day 3pm)

Late Opening Thursday 11th June to 7.30. Bar Available

www.society-women-artists.org.uk

I am delighted to be exhibiting with the SWA for the third year running.

Founded in 1855, the society has had a unique history dedicated to promoting art by women. The Annual Exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries, showcases a stunning and eclectic mix of artwork in all media. The Society encourages variety and versatility and features some of the finest contemporary women artists from all over the world, thus sustaining a reputation for excellence.

The exhibition will be opened by the society’s patron HRH Princess Michael of Kent. If you would like to attend the private view on Thursday 4th June 10am – 8pm please contact me for an invitation (needed for gallery entrance on this day only).

This year I have two works in the exhibition one of which is my latest Graphite drawing, depicting a family friend in Salvation Army uniform selling the War Cry. It is entitled 'Heart and Soul'. I tried something a bit different with the background in this one, which I think gives the drawing more life.

© Bethany Y Milam

Heart and Soul
2015
Graphite on Fabriano Paper

Artwork featured on Street Pastors website

In 2014 I had the opportunity to walk with the Basingstoke Street Pastors as an observer; it was an enlightening evening and I am full of respect for everyone who feels able to serve in this way.  The experience gave me inspiration for my art practice and the resulting artwork depicts two Basingstoke street pastors in action.  While working on this drawing I had the story of the Good Samaritan running through my mind especially the passage: “Then Jesus said ‘which one of these three men do you think was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by the robbers?’ The expert on the law answered, ‘The one who showed him Mercy’ Jesus said to him then go and do what he did.”  Luke 10:36-37.

Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care and listen.  It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. There are now some 9000 trained volunteers in around 250 teams around the United Kingdom.

A Street Pastor is a Church member with a concern for society - in particular young people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised - and who is willing to engage people where they are.  The role is about listening, caring and helping - working in an unconditional way.  BBC inside out video link

I was asked if my Drawing ‘Reaching Out – Street Pastors In Action’ might be used for the Basingstoke Street Pastors 6 year commissioning order of service. Where it was very well received.

The artwork is now featured on the Street Pastors website 

If you would like a photographic print taken from the original drawing, they are available for sale.  

A3 prints; unframed £10 and framed £30. (The overall frame size is approx. 44cm x 54cm).

Greetings Cards are also available, please enquire using the contact form on www.milamarts.org 

© Bethany Y Milam

Reaching Out – Street Pastors In Action

Graphite and Compressed Charcoal on Fabriano Paper

2014

102.4 x 83.3 (Frame Size)

Previously I have drawn a portrait of my mother in her Street Pastor uniform. Both these drawings have been exhibited in The Society of Women Artists annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.  More details of this years exhibition to follow. 

Highly commended at Patchings Exhibition 2014

The Artist and Leisure Painter Patchings Exhibition 2014

My Graphite portrait of my mother (a Basingstoke Street Pastor) has been selected for The Artist highly commended category at  The 2014 Artist and Leisure Painter Patchings Exhibition.  Click below to view on-line and vote for the People's Choice Award.

http://www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk

Altered Book Art Children's Project

I have just finished a project with the North Hampshire Home Education Group.  The children were challenged to design and create two altered book artworks, using a variety of media and techniques.  The artworks have all been based on a narrative. The stories chosen have included a favourite book, stories written by the students and non-fiction events.

The first book made use of wire modelling and paper mâché giving the impression that the story was exploding or growing out from the book.

The second book was altered by cutting into it, collaging, deconstructing, drawing, painting, weaving, sewing, felting or folding.

The children aged between 7 and 14 have interpreted the brief in different ways to produce a wide variety of outcomes.  On The last week the children held an exhibition of their work for family and friends.  Everyone was impressed by the children’s work and achievements. 

 

 

Autumn Term Art Classes

 Drawing and Painting for Beginners

A fun weekly class in Drawing and Painting with one-to-one tuition from practicing artist and tutor Bethany Milam. Suitable for beginners and intermediates. Explore different skills and techniques working at your own pace. Bring your own projects or work from a still life/photos provided by the tutor. Tea / Coffee Included.

• Drawing and Sketching

• Composition, Perspective, Tone and Colour

• Watercolour, Acrylic, Oils, Pen and Ink, Charcoal, Pastels

• Still Life, Landscape, Portrait

• and more...

Monday 2pm - 4pm

9th September - 16th Dec 2013

(No class 28th October)

14 lessons for £84.00

Kingsclere Village Club

35 George Street

Kingsclere

Hampshire

Postcode

RG20 5NH

For more information or to book a place contact:

Helen on 07796 083042 (between 5pm and 8pm) or email kvc.education@yahoo.co.uk

Painting With Mixed Media

BCOT Adult Education Partnership

Course Length: 8 wks

Venue: Cranbourne Business & Enterprise College

Day / Time: Thursday 7pm – 9pm

Start Date: 3rd October

  

This is an exciting course which will introduce you to different media and painting techniques. You will learn how to use a range of different processes and techniques, both traditional and experimental. You will create a range of studies, experimental trials and finished works. You will work from subjects including still life and self portraits to be discussed with the tutor.

Course Content

Over the course of 8 wks you will look at:

• The formal elements; line, mark-making, tone, form, composition and colour theory?

• Brushes, tools and supports

• Painting with watercolour – wash techniques, wet into wet, overlaying, creating texture, using masking fluid, sanding, spattering and sponging

• Painting with acrylics – transparent techniques; washes and glazes; opaque techniques; Impasto, painting with the palette knife, and other tools, s’graffito, texture paste and adding texture.

• Painting with egg tempera – making your own paint, under-painting, hatching and glazing.

• Combining techniques?

• You will produce a range of drawings, compositional studies and sketches and you will be able to discuss progress with the group in order to develop self- evaluation techniques.?

Equipment

Handouts will be provided and the tutor will advise you on any further reading that might be useful and/or of interest to you. A basic tool kit will be required - see below. A material fee has been included with the tuition fee for other materials and equipment to be used in class.

2/3 sheets A3 Cartridge paper (per session)

Pencils – 6H - 4B

Soft Rubber

A range of bristle/synthetic brushes, Pallet knives and sponges - to be advised by tutor on first session

Optional materials to be advised by tutor

Contact Details

adulteducation@bcot.ac.uk

Tel: 01256 306355/306347

To enrol: 01256 306484

Developing Your Creative Drawing Skills

BCOT Adult Education Partnership

Course Length: 8 wks

Venue: Cranbourne Business & Enterprise College

Day / Time: Monday 7pm – 9pm

Start Date: 30th September

This is an exciting course which will help you to develop your drawing skills. There is an emphasis on experimenting with different techniques and media. Students will create a range of experimental sketches and finished works.

Course Content

Over the course of 8 wks you will look at:

* use of lines with different qualities; using negative space; right/left brain drawing

* use of measuring techniques to draw proportions accurately; finding angles; Compostion

* use of a range of media and experimental mark-making techniques;

* perspective and foreshortening;

* Tone and Form; silhouettes and use of charcoal;

* Hatching & cross-hatching to create tone & form;

* Experiment with mixed media; drawing with pastels, graphite, charcoal inks, chalk, paint, using

various sorts of paper

* Basic colour theory

You will produce a range of drawings, compositional studies and sketches and you will be able to discuss progress with the group in order to develop self-evaluation techniques.

  

Contact Details

adulteducation@bcot.ac.uk

Tel: 01256 306355/306347

To enrol: 01256 306484

Equipment

Handouts will be provided and the tutor will advise you on any further reading that might be useful and/or of interest to you. A basic tool kit will be required - see below. A material fee has been included with the tuition fee for other materials and equipment to be used in class.

2-3 sheets A1 Cartridge paper (per session)

Black Quink Ink (1 bottle)

Pencils - 2B, 4B, 6B (1-2 of each)

2 Rubbers

1 Palette

Water pots

Upcoming Exhibition: Not The Royal Academy

Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition

I am pleased to announce that my work ‘Helping to Make a Difference (Portrait of the Artist’s Mother)’ has been selected for this years SWA exhibition.  

The Society of Women Artists
152nd Annual Exhibition 2013
The Mall Galleries
The Mall, London, SW1

Thursday 27th June to Saturday 6th July
10am to 5pm daily (Closing 3pm on 6th July)

The exhibition will show a rich mix of media and styles and will be opened by the society’s patron HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

www.society-women-artists.org.uk

At the exhibition preview.

The model views her portrait at the gallery.